South Florida leaders mourn death of former Gov. Reubin Askew

From left: Ron Gunzburger, Sue Gunzburger and Reubin Askew

Courtesy/Ron Gunzburger

From left: Ron Gunzburger, Sue Gunzburger and Reubin Askew. This 1984 picture was a few months after the end of Askew¿s 1984 Presidential run, during which Ron Gunzburger had served as DC Coordinator, and Sue Gunzburger (now a Broward County Commissioner) had been an Askew delegate to the state convention.

From left: Ron Gunzburger, Sue Gunzburger and Reubin Askew. This 1984 picture was a few months after the end of Askew¿s 1984 Presidential run, during which Ron Gunzburger had served as DC Coordinator, and Sue Gunzburger (now a Broward County Commissioner) had been an Askew delegate to the state convention. (Courtesy/Ron Gunzburger)

Anthony ManSun Sentinel

Comments from South Florida political leaders on the death Thursday of former Gov. Reubin Askew.

Via Twitter: "My thoughts are with Gov. Askew's family. He was a wonderful role model for @FlaDems."

State Rep. Perry Thurston, a Democat who represents central and east Broward and serves as minority party leader in the Florida House.

Via written statement: “Reubin Askew distinguished himself as one of the greatest governors in Florida history, having been a champion for racial equality, ethics and tax reforms, and modernizing our state government. Reubin Askew served with honor in the Florida Senate and the state House of Representatives, where he enjoyed a reputation for integrity, compassion, and Democratic Party principles. Governor Askew’s devotion to the people of Florida and his enduring legacy will be missed tremendously.”

Via written statement: “On behalf of myself and the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus, our deepest sympathies go out to Governor Askew’s wife and his children; our prayers are with them.

“Governor Askew will be remembered by many people for many different things, but I believe the most important, the key to his legacy is that he was a man of conscience and conviction. He never shied from a fight for a good and just cause.

“Whether it was advancing the cause of civil rights, such as appointing the first black Supreme Court justice and pushing for equal education, or championing women’s rights, or confronting an unfair tax system, his unwavering commitment to ‘the little person’s voice’ never faltered.

“Raised by a working single mother, Governor Askew learned at an early age the value of hard work and the values of hard working people. He remained their faithful servant until the very end.”

Via written statement: “I am saddened to learn of the passing of former Florida Governor Askew. He was a champion for racial equality who maintained an unrelenting pursuit to make Florida’s government more transparent and open for the people he served.

“I will always be grateful for the wisdom and time he shared with me. His generosity was evident in all aspects of his life.

“Governor Askew challenged us all to be better people. He was a great man whose legacy will always be remembered. My prayers are with his wife, Donna Lou, his children and his extended family during this time.”

More from Wasserman Schultz.

Via written statement:

“Today is a sad day for Floridians, particularly for the generation of policymakers and leaders who came of age in a more progressive, more pragmatic, more inspirational political climate thanks to the leadership and vision of Governor Reubin Askew.

“Mr. Askew left an indelible mark in Tallahassee as both a state legislator and a popular two-term governor, and in many ways moved Florida ahead of the nation on issues such as tax reform, equality and civil rights, and environmental protection.

“My thoughts are with Governor Askew’s wife and children as they mourn his passing. I join them in honoring his exemplary service to his state and to his country.”

"Governor Askew was truly one of Florida's great governors – and our state has had very few in our history. He was a zealous ethics reformer in an era of widespread political corruption, and was a tireless advocate who courageously risked his political career to advance the cause of racial equality during the Wallace era in Southern politics. Governor Askew well earned his spot on the Harvard University-JFK School of Government’s list of Ten Best US Governors of the Twentieth Century. I was honored to have worked for and known him."

From former Florida Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich of Weston, a candidate for her party's nomination for governor.

Via written statement:

Florida mourns the loss today of former Governor Reubin Askew, a truly great leader -- a man of moral conviction and genuine compassion. His administration set a standard for fairness, openness, and honesty that has not been surpassed.

Governor Askew led Florida through a period of significant change. He appointed the first African American to the State Supreme Court as well as the State Cabinet. He was an outspoken advocate for environmental protection and strong growth management laws. And, perhaps most surprisingly, he ran and won on a platform of tax reforms that required corporations to pay taxes.

But his commitment to transparency – to demanding that the public’s business be conducted in public view -- may be his most important legacy. The “Government in the Sunshine” law Governor Askew ushered in remains a national model to this day.

Reubin Askew was, by every measure, a true Progressive Democrat long before anyone else. And Florida is a better place today for his service.

From Larry Hoffman, founding chairman of the Greenberg Traurig law firm, where Askew became a shareholder after his term as governor.

Via written statement: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our former shareholder, Reubin Askew. He will remain a legacy to all Florida residents for the impact he had on shaping the growth of our state and the uniquely profound impact he had on our law firm during his years as our colleague. He was a role model for our lawyers and for all who met him, whose high standards of ethics and integrity, and whose dedication to seeking equal justice, will inspire many future generations at Greenberg Traurig, throughout the legal profession and this fine state."